The Acker family knew that Lord Acker actually also wanted to know who this benefactor with such great strength really was.Nevertheless, since he had already said so, they naturally did not dare to overstep their bounds.Therefore, Christian took the lead and said, “Don’t worry, Dad. We will definitely keep your request in mind, and we will never cross this line.”Kaeden also nodded and said, “Dad, Christian is right. We will definitely never cross this line.”Merlin, who was aside, could not help but feel a little disappointed.He had promised Charlie that he would never reveal Charlie’s identity.However, he hoped that the Acker family would be able to acknowledge and get reacquainted with Charlie as soon as possible from the bottom of his heart. That was the reason why he had taken the initiative to mention the Rejuvenating Pill in front of Christian earlier, all to remind the latter that these clues should be connected and considered so that he could surely find out some i
Merlin said awkwardly, “Aunt, to be honest, I haven’t figured out how I’m going to go back and explain to my wife and daughter why I ended up disappearing after my daughter sent me a text message to tell me that she was pregnant...”Having said that, he also wanted to distract Lady Acker’s attention, so he asked Christian, “Christian, my wife should have looked for you, right? What did you tell her?”Christian sneered twice and said, “What else could I say? I could only tell her that I was not sure either. Our benefactor specially instructed me not to tell your wife that you were dead but to tell her that you were missing or had eloped with another woman, but how could I have said that to her?”Merlin sighed and said, “I’ll also have to think about how I’m going to explain things to them when I go back. The two of them will probably always have some doubts if there is no relatively perfect explanation for this matter...”Christian thought for a moment and said, “Perhaps you can say
When Merlin heard that Kathleen wanted to give him a cheque for ten million US dollars, his instant thought was to reject it in a hurry.He even panicked for a few moments and said, “Miss Fox, you have already helped me so much, so how can I take more money from you?!”Keith, who was aside, also slapped his thighs and said excitedly, “Miss Fox’s idea is truly clever! It’s flawless! Flawless, I tell you!”Having said that, he pointed at Merlin and said, “Merlin, you don’t have to worry about the money. Miss Fox is giving you this money so that you can explain everything better in front of your wife and daughter. This way, not only will your wife and daughter not complain about you, but they will also feel that you attach great importance to them, and all the contradictions in this matter will have a perfect and logical solution, then!”Having said that, Keith added, “But you’re right. Miss Fox has helped you and also the Acker family. No matter what it is, I cannot let Miss Fox pay
He could not help but say, “Uncle Acker, I’ve never felt that I was nearly killed before because of the Acker family...”After pausing for a moment, Merlin went on to say, “After all, I just happened to choose to accompany you for your gathering that day. It was my own choice, and I can only say that it was my own bad luck that I encountered the attack. In any case, this cannot be considered as me being kind to the Acker family...”“What’s more, I’m ashamed to say that even though I almost died at that time, I did not help the Acker family in any way at all. Those thugs shot me down without even giving me a chance to react. I was just cannon fodder, at best....”In truth, Merlin still had something to say.He felt that instead of being of any help to the Acker family, it was actually the Acker family’s grandson, Charlie, who had truly saved him and given him a new life.He owed Charlie his life, so it would be unreasonable for him to take the Acker family’s money at this moment.
“Okay.” Christian agreed and asked Merlin, “If she is in New York and asks me if I have any news about you, should I tell her the truth or lie to her first and wait for you to surprise her in person?”Merlin thought for a moment and said, “If she asks you, tell her that you have found some clues, but you want to tell her in person. Ask her to meet up with you, and I will surprise her in person then.”“Okay.” Christian nodded and then took out his cell phone immediately, making a call to Merlin’s wife, Josie Clinton. When the call was connected, an excited voice came from the other end of the line, “Christian, do you have any news about Merlin?”Christian was slightly startled, and he deliberately said, “Sister-in-Law, I have some clues here. Are you still in New York? I’ll come to talk to you in person.”Josie, who was on the other end of the line, asked in a pleasantly surprised voice, “Really?! What kind of clues? I’m in Washington now, and I’m getting ready to go back to New Y
This was especially so when his daughter was still pregnant at the moment.When Keith saw that Merlin was crying, he hurriedly said, “Merlin, there will be great blessings after a catastrophe. You should be happy, so why are you crying?!”Having said that, he quickly turned to Kathleen and said with great appreciation, “Miss Fox, I have to say that your solution just now is really perfect. Still, even though you have to write this cheque, the money still has to come from the Acker family. You have already helped us so much, so we cannot let you spend any more money.”Kathleen smiled slightly and said, “Okay, Lord Acker. I’ll do as you say.”Keith then said to Merlin, “Merlin, when the time comes, let Christian arrange for your wife and daughter to come here directly. It just so happens that Miss Fox is staying for lunch. Your family should be arriving after lunch, so your family of three can be reunited after the meal!”Merlin wiped away his tears and nodded heavily. Keith said
After lunch, Merlin’s wife, daughter, and son-in-law finally landed at New York JFK Airport while the Ito family and Yashita were still flying over the ocean.The Acker family’s helicopter had been waiting at the airport for a long time. Under the Acker family’s coordination, the plane that was supposed to be parked on the corridor bridge was temporarily changed to a remote location. As soon as the three people got off the plane, they were taken away directly to the helicopter that was not far away by the Acker family’s staff who were waiting below.Merlin was so nervous in Ark Building that he kept pacing and rubbing his hands together.He had been repeatedly practicing the solution that Kathleen had given him out of fear that he would say the wrong thing when he met his family later.When Kathleen saw his nervousness, she said, “Chief Lammy, don’t worry too much. If you’re too nervous to express yourself well later, I can explain things to your wife for you then.”Christian also
An angel investor meant merely investing while disregarding the operation.These people could do whatever they wanted as long as the money was in place. They had a lot of things going on at their end, so you could just inform them if you didn’t have enough money as long as you did not bother them.This was what Josie really could not accept and felt most desperate about.However, when she heard from Christian that Merlin’s disappearance for so many days was due to some unexpected events, she burst into tears immediately and could not help but say to Christian, “Christian, to tell you some heartfelt words, if I didn’t still have some feelings for that b*stard, Merlin, I would have already filed for a divorce to the court on the grounds of de facto separation! After all, it’s easy to get divorced in the United States. We’ve been separated for years, so it’d be easy for us to get divorced in any state!”Having said that, she took out her handkerchief, blew her nose, and said in despai
While Jacob was feeling delighted after pulling off his con, Raymond had posted details of the bronze sculpture online.The website he was using was the biggest platform for antique collectors and the antique trade where each user could set a favorite tag in the antique category and era. If a user who preferred canvas art pieces of the Tudor dynasty set that label as their favorite, they would immediately be notified with text or desktop notifications in regards to any item with the same label.As medieval bronze sculptures were rare in the first place, most who were interested had already set that label on their favorites and were immediately notified soon after Raymond posted pictures of the bronze sculpture online.The collectors were naturally eager to check it out as gilded sculptures of the medieval era were really rare, and most collectors would go a lifetime without picking one up for their collection.On top of that, the seller had even listed a major flaw and was only ask
"Nope," Jacob chuckled. "We were both working separately and just happened to get back in at the same time."Then, he immediately became smug and excited, "Guess what, dear? I made 200 thousand out of the deal! In net profits!""For real?!" Elaine gaped. "200 thousand in just one night?! That's amazing! How did you do that?"Claire was surprised to hear that too, and she came over to ask, "What deal was it, Dad?"Jacob grinned, "Oh, it's nothing to brag about. It's just that I managed to pick up a nice antique item thanks to my wisdom and then sold it for 200 thousand."Pausing, he then sighed in dismay, "However, the buyer wasn't too rich—I would have squeezed him for 400 thousand, but he couldn't afford more, so I had to settle for less."Elaine quickly exclaimed, "Shit, we're talking about a loss of 200 thousand! People would work a year and still never earn that much…"She trailed off for a moment before asking, "By the way, dear—are we still flying out first thing tomorrow?
Jacob laughed. "Put that issue behind us? Sure, but we're not becoming friends. Hell, I can't even hold a grudge now that you're shit out of luck."Then, his tone changed sharply and suddenly became icy, "But you see, Aurous Hill is not a place you can stay just because you want to. No… After this, you're not going to be able to make a living in the antique trade.""If I were you, I'd be running a thousand miles away, far away from Aurous Hill where no one would know my face to start over. That way, you just might be able to make a living."Raymond simply kept smiling, "You need not be concerned about how I'm going to survive here, Mr. Wilson. I'd be very grateful if you'd cease any form of harassment once you leave my premises."Jacob pursed his lips, staring at Raymond in disappointment. "I'm plenty magnanimous, so I won't stoop to such pettiness. Just do whatever you like!"Clicking his tongue, he huffed, "Tut, tut… And here I'd thought you're tough, but you're just yet another
Raymond chuckled at the title, humble as ever, "The Duke of Wastage? Now, that's quite the royal title, and I don't think I deserve such an honor…"Trailing off, he then made an especially curious look, "By the way, how'd you know they were calling me that?"Seeing that he was still so ignorant, Jacob scoffed. "You bought a Renaissance-era bronze sculpture earlier, didn't you?"Raymond nodded. "I did. But technically, it's medieval and not Renaissance, along with a Renaissance-era base."Jacob clutched his stomach as he laughed, "Oh, please! Medieval? Hahaha… You're killing me, Mr. Cole!"Raymond kept a serious look on his face. "It's really medieval. Why don't you take a look?""No way," Jacob snorted, pursing his lips. "Anyway, word has already spread that someone was selling a counterfeit bronze sculpture to defraud Antique Street for some serious dough. He went first to Vintage Deluxe, but their manager, Mr. Crane, saw through it and didn't buy it… and then he came to you, an
That was why most of the collectors only knew that such an item existed but they did not know in whose possession it was.After registering a new account and paying the ten thousand registration fee, Raymond got in.It was very safe as it was anonymous, and he posted a photo of the bronze sculpture and an announcement with an asking price of twenty million.In his opinion, it wasn't that expensive—if it was still gilded, it would be worth around a hundred million. Without it, it was plenty reasonable to cut the price down to just thirty million.And Raymond was cutting another ten million off that, so twenty million was plenty reasonable.Moreover, medieval bronze sculptures were exceedingly rare, and less than one specimen showed up annually at times. Collectors who desired it would therefore be willing to break the bank for it, and that was why Raymond was sure that someone would put in an order once he posted it.As he wrote the summary of the item, someone knocked on his door
Jacob frowned in disdain. "Why would I be worried? He's no longer the manager of Vintage Deluxe, and he just lost a shit ton of money for messing up his appraisal. I am also the vice president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, so why would I be worried about some loser who will soon be kicked out of Antique Street?"Straightening his collar, he snorted coldly, "I am now going to see Raymond Cole and humiliate him face-to-face! He thinks he's impressive, doesn't he? Let's see how he will keep up that facade!"Zachary chuckled, "Yes, exactly! People like him need to be given a slap in the face! As hard as you can! Don't worry—I'll be right behind you. If he gets physical, I'll rush in to help. If he doesn't dare to start a fight, you just insult him as much as possible!""Good plan!" Jacob nodded since he was concerned that Raymond might get physical when pushed too far.And with his body, there was no way he could beat anyone…Spreading his arms, he exclaimed, "Come! I'l
Mick inspected every video to see who was getting the most views, and he then paid out of his own pocket to use paid advertising to get the video viral.It cost five thousand and it hurt, but reaching the trending page was definitely worth it.Mick was quite shrewd too, making sure that the paid advertising was focused locally. After all, he knew all too well that five thousand didn't buy many clicks, and clicks from elsewhere might be too sporadic to gain any worthwhile attention.As he worked in Antique Street, he naturally had to come up with a plan to promote himself in this place, ideally presenting himself as a master appraiser.That way, his fame would slowly extend throughout the province and perhaps Eastern Oskia, and eventually the country.As such, focusing on Aurous Hill was the best idea.Moreover, he also had another idea—if Jasmine Moore happened to see this video, she would see him in a new light.When that happened, he could look forward to getting really rich!
Soon, the video of Mick's staged act was uploaded to the online group, and everyone eagerly watched it as soon as it was done uploading.Mick certainly set a new bar with his acting as none of them could see that it was an act.Moreover, everyone could see that the bronze sculpture looked like the real deal, and they might have been swindled if it were them.As such, they couldn't help being impressed as Mick had easily seen through Billy's con, and he was the definition of a pro in that video.No matter how Billy had packaged it, there was no tricking real experts like Mick Crane. Just a quick glance and he had seen through that it was a postmodern replica, matched with a base from the Renaissance era to misdirect and beguile.With that, many fellow antique dealers changed their opinion of Mick.After all, Vintage Deluxe's business had been declining after Mick took over as manager, and people were presuming that his skills were lacking.But now, they were all shown that he had
"Amazing, Mr. Crane!""It's Mr. Crane who shines through, in the end! His eyes see through everything!""I guess Miss Moore made the right choice firing Raymond and appointing Mr. Crane! Mr. Crane is infinitely better!"Mick was immediately thrilled to see them fawning over him, and he laughed, "You flatter me—I'm merely sharing my personal perspective on this. In this trade, anyone who knows would understand how hard it is to get the good stuff in this age of technology.""There are plenty of people who hold ulterior motives and change their tactics knowing that there are always those scheming to get their hands on vintage treasures, so they just have to make it. That is how they started making counterfeits of everything, from scrolls to sculptures to statues, each of them so real just to trick those fools who think they could get rich overnight!""Exactly!" Someone promptly agreed. "There's never a lack of any such fools, and I just happened to meet one. I had this piece of jade